figurar Preterite Conjugation
figurar — to appear
The preterite of figurar is regular: figuré, figuraste, figuró, figuramos, figurasteis, figuraron.
figurar Preterite Forms
When to Use the Preterite
Use the preterite to talk about something that appeared or was listed at a specific point in the past. It emphasizes the completion of the action – it appeared, and that's that.
Notes on figurar in the Preterite
Figurar is regular in the preterite. The nosotros form 'figuramos' is identical to the present indicative, so context is key.
Example Sentences
Figuré en la obra de teatro de la escuela.
I appeared in the school play.
yo
El nombre del ganador figuró en la lista.
The winner's name appeared on the list.
él/ella/usted
Figuraron en los titulares de todos los periódicos.
They appeared in the headlines of all the newspapers.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
¿Figuraste tú en esa foto?
Did you appear in that photo?
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing preterite and imperfect when describing past appearances.
Correct: Use preterite ('figuró') for a specific instance of appearing, and imperfect ('figuraba') for a habitual or ongoing appearance in the past.
Why: Preterite marks completed actions, while imperfect describes ongoing or repeated actions in the past.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: figuro
The present tense of figurar (figuro, figuras, figura) means 'to appear' or 'to be listed' right now.
Imperfect
yo: figuraba
The imperfect of figurar (figuraba, figurabas, figuraba) describes past appearances that were ongoing or habitual.
Future
yo: figuraré
The future tense of figurar (figuraé, figuraás, figuraá) indicates something will appear or be listed in the future.
Conditional
yo: figuraría
The conditional of figurar (figuraía, figuraías, figuraía) suggests something would appear or expresses polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: figure
The present subjunctive of figurar (figure, figures, figuremos) expresses wishes, doubts, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: figurara
The imperfect subjunctive of figurar (e.g., figurara, figuraras, figurase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: figura
Commands in the imperative for figurar include: figura (tú), figure (usted), figuremos (nosotros), figurad (vosotros), figuren (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no figures
Negative commands for figurar use the present subjunctive: no figures (tú), no figure (usted), no figuremos (nosotros), no figuréis (vosotros), no figuren (ustedes).